BYJUSTIN FOSTER From Simple Flying

The airline reached a new high of routes serviced with these new additions.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

SUMMARY

•  Southwest Airlines announces new routes, including international services from Orlando International Airport and domestic offerings from Hollywood Burbank Airport and Colorado Springs Airport. 
•  Despite a drop in net profit for the third quarter, Southwest Airlines maintains strong demand and expects continued growth, particularly in the summer when the new routes will launch. 
•  Southwest Airlines expands its fleet with an order for 108 Boeing 737 MAX 7s, adding to its total order of over 500 aircraft, with deliveries set to begin in 2024.

The Dallas, Texas-based airline announced a slew of new routes throughout the United States. On October 26, Southwest Airlines revealed a new high of scheduled departures, just over 4,500 departures in its published schedule. These new routes come through the extension of its current flight schedule through August 4, 2024. New routes include flights from some of its domestic hubs and several new international services.

New international services 

Several new routes are set to begin operating from one of the airline’s operating bases, Orlando International Airport (MCO). The world’s largest low-cost carrier will begin several new daily international routes on June 4, 2024.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

The airline will begin flying to Cancun, Mexico, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, Nassau, Bahamas, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and San Jose, Costa Rica. Southwest Airlines already flies several routes from Orlando, including service to Aruba and Montego Bay, Jamaica. This is also the 17th route that will connect to Cancun beginning in June of next year.

New domestic offerings 

Also beginning on June 4, 2024, Southwest Airlines will expand its already extensive network of routes from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). The new daily services will operate to Boise, Idaho, Kansas City, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, San Antonio, Texas, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Additionally, Southwest Airlines will begin a new service connecting Colorado Springs Airport (COS) in Colorado, and Baltimore/ Washington International Airport (BWI).

Other new routes are set to begin from the airline’s home base in Dallas Love Field (DAL). The new destinations from Love Field are Buffalo/ Niagara, New York, Fresno, California, Providence, Rhode Island, and Spokane, Washington. These new routes are Saturday-only services.

Southwest Airlines is also set to open a new flight crew base in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2024. On top of this, the airline is beginning new Saturday-only services to Bozeman, Montana, and Saturday and Sunday services to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Expanding even after demand slows 

With operational expenses increasing by 10% year-on-year and fuel prices nearly $0.35 higher than expected, Southwest Airlines narrowly missed its industry projections. The airline still reached an increase of 4.9% in operating revenues and a quarterly record of $6.5 billion.

However, net profit for the third quarter was $193 million. This was nearly a 60% drop when compared to the financial results of the second quarter. Despite this slight decline, the airline’s operations noted a healthy demand through the travel season, similar to pre-pandemic levels.

The airline is expected to see this demand decline a bit further in quarter four, however. Southwest Airlines, however, is expected to see continued growth into summer, when many of its newly announced routes are set to begin.

In addition to expanding its route network, Southwest Airlines recently ordered an additional 108 Boeing 737 MAX 7s, bringing its total 737 MAX orderbook to over 500 total aircraft. The deliveries of these aircraft are set to begin in 2024, with some of these aircraft to operate the airline’s newly offered routes.

For more on this story go to: SIMPLY FLYING